What to expect from chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Chemotherapy may be recommended when prostate cancer needs treatment throughout the body, including when it has stopped responding adequately to hormone-based treatment. Your oncologist considers symptoms, scan results, blood tests, previous treatment and other health problems when choosing a medicine. Chemotherapy may be combined with hormone treatment or other medicines, so ask how each part contributes to the plan.

Treatment is often an intravenous infusion in an oncology unit, followed by a recovery period before the next cycle. Blood tests check blood counts and organ function, and the team reviews pain, energy, appetite and other symptoms. Possible effects include tiredness, nausea, appetite change, hair loss, taste changes, mouth soreness, numbness or tingling, and increased infection risk. Medicines and dose changes can help when effects interfere with daily life.

Ask for the schedule in writing and plan transport, rest and help with daily tasks. Keep a record of temperature, pain, appetite, bowel function and any numbness in the hands or feet. Take anti-sickness medicines as prescribed and ask before using supplements or pain medicines. Tell the team about urinary difficulties, bone pain, falls, diabetes, heart problems and all current medicines. Discuss sexual health and fertility concerns early if they matter to you.

Call your care team promptly for fever or chills, a new cough, painful urination, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, unusual bleeding, worsening weakness, a fall, or new severe pain. Report new numbness or weakness because it may need treatment adjustment. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion or swelling of the face or throat during an infusion. Follow the personalised fever and after-hours instructions from your unit.

Why is chemotherapy recommended now, and how will we judge its effect? Which medicine and combination are planned? How might treatment affect hormone therapy, bone health or urinary symptoms? What can I do about tingling, fatigue or appetite loss? Which symptoms require a same-day call, and whom should I contact outside clinic hours?